Kuala Lumpur: Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) wholly owned unit trust management company, Amanah Saham Nasional Bhd (ASNB), distributed a total income distribution payout of RM2.18 billion for the financial year ending March 31, 2025 (FY2025).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the payout was allocated to two fixed-price funds – Amanah Saham Bumiputera 2 (ASB 2) and Amanah Saham Malaysia (ASM). ASB 2 declared a total income distribution payout of RM0.73 billion, equivalent to 5.50 sen per unit, benefiting 614,309 unitholders with 14.12 billion units. Meanwhile, ASM announced a total income distribution payout of RM1.45 billion, equivalent to five sen per unit, for 740,513 unitholders holding 29.14 billion units.
As of March 20, 2025, ASB 2 recorded a net realised income of RM0.80 billion, while ASM achieved RM1.55 billion. PNB highlighted that the income distributions for ASB 2 at 5.50 sen per unit and ASM at five sen per unit marked an increase of 0.25 sen per unit compared to the previous year. This increase occurred despite the challenging global capital market environment, marked by tariff tensions, elevated inflation, and an uncertain economy.
PNB noted that the funds have experienced progressive improvements over the past three years, underscoring its commitment to enhancing returns and strengthening portfolio resilience. The distributions for ASB 2 and ASM translated to total returns of 5.50 percent and 5.0 percent, respectively. These returns outperform the benchmark of Maybank’s 12-month fixed deposit, which stands at 2.56 percent, by 294 basis points for ASB 2 and 244 basis points for ASM.
The strong performance of these two fixed-price funds is attributed to positive domestic and global equity returns, as well as a continued asset diversification strategy across geographies and asset classes. PNB stated that it will continue diversifying assets, particularly into fixed income, to ensure a stable and consistent stream of income.
The computation of income distribution for ASB 2 and ASM was based on the average minimum monthly balance held throughout the financial year of each fund. The distribution declared by these funds will be automatically reinvested into unitholders’ accounts on April 1, 2025.
Transactions for ASB 2 and ASM at ASNB branches and agents, including all online channels and internet banking, will be temporarily suspended from March 28 to 31, 2025, to facilitate the computation of income distribution. Unitholders may resume transactions via the myASNB portal or the myASNB mobile application on April 1, 2025, or at any ASNB branch or agent nationwide on April 2, 2025, subject to changes due to Hari Raya Aidilfitri.